in Jafurah Gas Plant
FEATURED PAPER
By Saad A. Al-Wahaib, Abdullah F. Al-Baroot, Saud A. Al-Qurashi
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
ABSTRACT
Jafurah Gas Plant is the first Unconventional Gas Plant in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The plant consists of various components, including Gas Inlet, Condensate Stabilization, Acid Gas Removal Unit, Dehydration Unit, Natural Gas Liquid (NGL) and Sales Gas Compressors. The project aims to identify and mitigate single point of failures in order to prevent interruptions to production. Risks were identified based on different categories including mechanical, partial air, electrical and fire failures; for instance, failures on the Sales Gas, Condensate, and NGL common headers, HP Fuel Gas Line failures, Flare main header failures, cooling water supply and return failures as well as Switchgears failures. The single point of failures (SPF) was developed in considerations of: design constraints, equipment redundancy, and Load Distribution among several Motor Control Centers (MCC).
To mitigate such risks, Jafurah Gas Plant has modified the instrument air system, added piping and isolation valves, and segregated air supply isolation valves from the main instrument air distribution headers. Moreover, the plant has implemented fire suppression measure to prevent pressure indications failures and ensure safety of the facility. The plant’s safety measures aim to minimize the impact of these failures on the plant operations.
Keywords: Design Improvement, Gas Trains Design, Project Management, Gas Plant Efficiency
INTRODUCTION
Single point of failure is defined as any system failure that would cause the entire system to fail which can lead to 100% production losses. Jafurah Gas Plant program is the first unconventional gas in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that constructed to produce, process and transport gas to satisfied the In-kingdom energy demand. Jafurah Gas Processing Train Facility consists of Gas Inlet, Condensate Stabilization, Acid Gas Removal Unit, Dehydration Unit, Natural Gas Liquid (NGL) as well as Sales Gas Compressors. The Jafurah Gas Plant project conducted a study to identify all the Single Point of Failures (SPF), to ensure no effect or interruption to the Plant production.
The main purpose of the identification of these points is to identify potential failures and its impact in order to reduce and eliminate the possible risks. This will maintain the Operational continuity and contribute to the business sustainability.
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How to cite this paper: Al-Wahaib, S. A., Al-Baroot, A. F., Al-Qurashi, S. A. (2025). Refining Single Leg Philosophy in Jafurah Gas Plant; PM World Journal, Vol. XIV, Issue X, October. Available online at https://pmworldlibrary.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/pmwj157-Oct2025-Al-Wahaib-et-al-Refining-Single-Leg-Philosophy-in-Jafurah-Gas-Plant.pdf
About the Authors
Saad A. Al-Wahaib
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Saad A. Al-Wahaib, a Senior Project Engineer with over 13 years of professional experience in the oil and gas sector specifically in project management across various project phases from detailed engineering to construction in both greenfield mega-projects and brownfield projects. Saad obtained B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) in 2011 and a Master of Engineering in Construction Engineering and Management from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) in 2024. He is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) with proven expertise in delivering complex projects in multidisciplinary skills and driving excellence in high-impact project environment. He can be contacted at saad.wahaib@aramco.com
Abdullah F. Al-Baroot
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Abdullah F. Al-Baroot, a Supervisor Project Engineer with background of Chemical Engineering Science, graduated from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) in 2008. Since joining the energy industry in 2009, he has accumulated 15 years of extensive experience in the oil and gas sector. Currently, He is involved in the Jafurah gas plant development, where he has applied expertise to drive innovative solutions and contribute to the development of this significant project. His passion for engineering and commitment to excellence continue to fuel his journey in the energy sector.
Saud A. Al-Qurashi
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Saud A. Al-Qurashi, a Project Engineer working at Saudi Aramco, holding a degree from King Abdulaziz University (KAU) in Industrial Engineering Science (2022). He currently plays a pivotal role in the Jafurah Gas Program, where he leads the construction and commissioning of the Dehydration Unit and Utilities Systems. Saud has successfully managed multidisciplinary contractors and sub-contractors, spearheaded interface management across multiple EPCs. Saud’s career reflects a commitment to innovation, accelerated learning, and delivering value in complex projects. Beyond technical expertise, Saud is recognized for his strong communication and leadership skills, demonstrated by his success in forums such as the Toastmasters PM Club. His contributions to Jafurah directly support Saudi Arabia’s strategic objectives in energy diversification and sustainability, reinforcing his role as a promising leader in the Kingdom’s Energy sector.
